Spring Break
P.O.S.'s 'Never Better' an underground hit
Lauren Dillard
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Diversions
"Never Better", P.O.S.'s highly anticipated third solo album, has hit stores. It actually landed in stores back in February, but that doesn't mean you're out of the loop. The follow-up to his 2006 "Auditions" has high expectations - his sophomore release gained tremendous momentum from the world of underground rap fans.
This rapper hails from the Midwest, Minneapolis specifically, and has a punk rock background - he played in several hardcore punk rock bands as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist. You might say he's a jack of all trades.
But don't let that bit of information tarnish his style. He eventually ditched the band scene and discovered rap as a suitable way of expression, and he has been growing ever since.
This new album is scattered with singles to bump to in your car with the windows down, but like all albums it has a few songs worth pressing the skip button. This isn't an album with bubbly dance tunes to play at parties, and you can definitely see his punk rock experiences come to surface in some of the tracks.
He also tends to sample some songs from punk rock bands, but there is no need to worry if you're not a punk rock fan - the samples are not that obvious, with the exception of his song "Terroish." At least he doesn't shy away from his roots, because nobody likes a sellout.
P.O.S. is currently on tour with Rhymesayers powerhouse and founder, Atmosphere, on their "When God Give You Ugly" tour. They actually trucked through Portland last night and they are putting on a show in Seattle tonight.
In the wake of the recent "Never Better" release, P.O.S. also earned the "featured artist" spot on the Rhymesayers website, where you can go to learn more about him. Many underground rap followers have already caught wind of this up and coming rapper, but some mainstream rap (hip-hop) fans may not be so lucky.
If you like songs for their flowing, original lyrics, and not the over-exaggerated beats and shallow lyrics of the mainstream scene, go out and pick up a copy of this CD. I highly recommend it.
Ross Leonard
diversions@dailybarometer.com
This rapper hails from the Midwest, Minneapolis specifically, and has a punk rock background - he played in several hardcore punk rock bands as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist. You might say he's a jack of all trades.
But don't let that bit of information tarnish his style. He eventually ditched the band scene and discovered rap as a suitable way of expression, and he has been growing ever since.
This new album is scattered with singles to bump to in your car with the windows down, but like all albums it has a few songs worth pressing the skip button. This isn't an album with bubbly dance tunes to play at parties, and you can definitely see his punk rock experiences come to surface in some of the tracks.
He also tends to sample some songs from punk rock bands, but there is no need to worry if you're not a punk rock fan - the samples are not that obvious, with the exception of his song "Terroish." At least he doesn't shy away from his roots, because nobody likes a sellout.
P.O.S. is currently on tour with Rhymesayers powerhouse and founder, Atmosphere, on their "When God Give You Ugly" tour. They actually trucked through Portland last night and they are putting on a show in Seattle tonight.
In the wake of the recent "Never Better" release, P.O.S. also earned the "featured artist" spot on the Rhymesayers website, where you can go to learn more about him. Many underground rap followers have already caught wind of this up and coming rapper, but some mainstream rap (hip-hop) fans may not be so lucky.
If you like songs for their flowing, original lyrics, and not the over-exaggerated beats and shallow lyrics of the mainstream scene, go out and pick up a copy of this CD. I highly recommend it.
Ross Leonard
diversions@dailybarometer.com
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